Natural Wonders of New Zealand Tour [ST-NZD12] - About New Zealand
 
 
10 Days: Natural Wonders of New Zealand Tour [ST-NZD12]
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Highlights & Inclusions
  • Accommodation - Queenstown (3 Nights), Christchurch (2), Rotorua (1), Auckland (2)
  • US Domestic Flights - Not included (as per your own arrangements)
  • International Flights - Los Angeles to Auckland (Return) (Not included, but can be included upon request)
  • New Zealand Domestic Flights - Auckland to Queenstown, Christchurch to Rotorua
  • Day Tours - Queenstown: Scenic Milford Sound Experience, Deluxe Coach Tour to Christchurch (via Mt Cook); Christchurch: Alpine Train; Rotorua: Tamaki Maori Cultural Experience, Rotorua to Auckland (via Waitomo)
  • Shuttle Transfers - Queenstown Airport to Accommodation, Christchurch Accommodation to Airport, Rotorua Airport to Accommodation, Auckland Accommodation to Airport
  • All Other Day Tours are Optional and not included
  • Visa only required for some South Pacific countries; $15 visa fee per person where applicable.
  • F.I.T. (Free & Independent Travel, i.e. this is not an Organized Group Tour)
  • All Taxes and Fuel Levies (Except where noted)
  • Itinerary is flexible and can be tailored to suit your needs.
Itinerary Details
(Day 1 ) - International Flight, Los Angeles to Auckland (Check quote for inclusion)

Shortly after departing Los Angeles you will be served dinner and you will be given breakfast before landing in Auckland.

Relax, watch some movies, and try to get some sleep!

Please confirm with the airline at check-in that they have all your Frequent Flyer information on record (if applicable).

(Day 2) - New Zealand Domestic Flight, Auckland to Queenstown

Travel by New Zealand domestic air from Auckland to Queenstown (South Island).

(Day 2) - Shuttle Transfer, Queenstown Airport to Accommodation

Travel by shuttle from the Airport to your vacation accommodation in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Please note: For airport transfers – 2 suitcases per person, extra pieces may be charged at $5.00 per piece. Surfboards, Bicycles etc – $5.00 each.

(Days 2 to 5) - 3 Nights Accommodation in Queenstown

Travel to your accommodation in Queenstown, New Zealand, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 3 nights.

It’s all about location! Your 4 star accommodations sits in a tranquil lakefront setting only a minute’s walk from the heart of Queenstown with shopping, restaurants, nightlife and activities all within easy reach. This fresh, modern hotel features rooms and facilities furnished with the finest comforts and conveniences. A place where you can relax with superb uninterrupted views of the lake, mountains and adjoining gardens. Comfortable and serene you will surely enjoy your stay here!

Upgrades Available: Garden View Room, Lakeview Room

(Day 3) - Free Day to Explore Queenstown

Spend a day to relax or explore dynamic Queenstown.

This region is renowned for its incedible adventure activities and spectacular outdoor terrain. You could try skiing, snowboarding, bungy jumping, paragliding, jetboating, sky diving and more! Or, if you want something a little more relaxed, you can choose from numerous family activities, nature experiences, tours and beauty spas. One hundred and forty years after our establishment as a gold mining camp, central Queenstown has transformed into a sophisticated cosmopolitan town, tucked into a picturesque bay on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, beneath majestic mountains. There’s a permanent buzz in downtown Queenstown, where you’ll find a fantastic choice of restaurants, a lively bar scene and excellent shopping.

Photo Credit: Tourism New Zealand

Optional Day Tour (Not Included) - Gondola with Buffet

Gaze in awe at panoramic views of Queenstown before you sit down and enjoy a truly unique New Zealand buffet.

Marvel at the stunning views as you ride the Skyline Queenstown Gondola – the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere! Sit back and relax as the best views in the region unfold before your eyes and the Gondola carries you 450 meters above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu to the top of Bob’s Peak.

En route you will enjoy a spectacular 220 degree panorama, with breathtaking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Walter Peak, Cecil Peak and over Queenstown.

On arrival, there are purpose built viewing platforms and outdoor terraces that provide great photo opportunities.

After the Gondola ride, you will step foot in Stratosfare Restaurant, one of the best restauarants with a spectacular lake and mountain view. The famous Taste of New Zealand buffet offers delectable fresh seafood, salads, roast meats and delicious desserts, while the panoramic view from our windows will captivate you day or night. It’s the ideal place for that special night out and the best place in Queenstown to watch the sun go down! With live music creating a relaxing atmosphere and never ending scenery to admire, you will be entertained as you dine on the award winning cuisine.

Operates
Daily. Stratosfare Restaurant closed on Wednesdays.
Gondola rides operate from 9:30am to 8:30pm Monday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday. Gondola rides operate from 9:30am to 6:30pm Tuesday & Wednesday. Saturday operation hours are 8:50am to 8:30pm.
Stratosfare Restaurant opens from 5pm to 8pm on Monday, Thursday & Friday. Restaurant opens from 12:30pm to 3pm on Tuesday and 12:30pm to 8pm on Saturday & Sunday.

Includes
– Gondola ride
– Buffet-style dinner at Stratosfare Restaurant

Need to Know
Gondola ride approximately 7-10 minutes one way.

Upgrades
Premium Dining Experience for up to 6 guests with:
– Guaranteed window seating
– One beverage (house beer, house wine, cocktail, or soft drink per guest)
– Unlimited sparkling and still water

Optional Day Tour (Not Included) - Lord of the Rings Tour

Spend the day taking in the breathtaking sights of the land around Queenstown; with time spent at ‘Lord of the Rings’ filming locations.

For true Lord of the Rings fans, this is the trip where Nomad Safaris really does take you There and Back again. This scenic sightseeing tour includes recognizable filming locations and stunning natural scenery. The Glenorchy Safari of the Scenes takes you from Queenstown to Glenorchy stopping at breath-taking viewpoints. 

En route from Glenorchy follow the Dart River to the spectacular filming location for Isengard. This location offers stunning views of Mt Earnslaw. Heading to Paradise discover the location for the Forrest of Lothlorien. Leaving Glenorchy and heading towards Queenstown you will stop at 12 Mile Delta to explore the location of the Ithilien Camp. This tour also includes locations from X-men Origins: Wolverine, and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Operates
Daily
Departs 8:00am or 1:30pm, Returns 12:30pm or 6:30pm (approx.)

Includes
– Return transfers from your hotel or information center
– Visit filming locations
– Beautiful views
– Gold pan in the Arrow River
– Safari vehicle is a 4WD Land Cruiser or Rover

Need to Know
You have the option of staying in or near the vehicle for any of the stops on the tour.

Upgrades
Private tours available
Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour

THE LORD OF THE RINGS and the characters, places, events and items contained therein, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Middle-Earth Enterprises, LLC and are used under license by Rings Scenic Tours Limited and Wingnut Film Productions Limited, which are independently owned and operated.

Optional Day Tour (Not Included)- Shotover Jet

Welcome to Shotover Jet Country, Queenstown New Zealand.

Get ready to experience the World’s most exciting Jet Boat ride! Acknowledged as the globe’s most famous Jet Boat operation! Being the only company permitted to operate in the breathtaking Shotover river canyons, you won’t get this experience anywhere else. There are many like Shotover Jet, but for sheer excitement, no one comes close.

It’s a thrilling ride – skimming past rocky outcrops at close range, as you twist and turn through the narrow canyons at breath taking speeds. And a major highlight – hold tight for the Jets gripping 360º spins!

No visit to Queenstown is complete without “Catching the Canyons” with this spectacular and unique Jet Boat ride! Shotover Jet operates every day of the year (weather and river conditions permitting).

Operates
Daily. Does not operate on Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Departs every hour from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Complimentary return shuttles from Queenstown for 11:00am and 3:00pm jet boat departures. Each jet boat ride is approximately 25 minutes.

Includes
– Highly experienced professional driver and guide 
– Thrilling ride on a modern, well maintained twin engine jet boat
– Life jackets (mandatory)
– Transport from central Queenstown location
– Photography and video services. Photos and video highlights available for no obligation viewing

Need to Know
This experience is not suitable for pregnant women, those with specific medical conditions, including people who suffer from back or neck injuries. Children must be at least 3 years old to join tour. Warm layers of clothing are recommended, including waterproof jacket, sturdy footwear and sunglasses. A small bag can be carried with you for the entire duration of the tour, should you require any extra items.

(Day 4) Day Tour, Scenic Milford Sound Experience - Full Day

Take an unforgettable journey into the heart of Milford Sound, New Zealand’s most famous tourist destination. You’ll experience the world-famous fiord in all its natural glory – surrounded by dense rainforest, glacier-carved valleys and beautiful waterfalls. Lunch included.

Today you will visit Milford Sound and experience a world of cascading waterfalls, sheer rock faces and dense rainforest. Your sightseeing tour to Milford Sound is made even more enjoyable by our glass-roofed coaches, which provide spectacular panoramic views as you travel along the Milford Road – one of the world’s most scenic roads – and through the Homer Tunnel, before arriving for your Milford Sound cruise. Enjoy striking views of iconic Mitre Peak from the head of the Sound – it rises 1,692 metres from the south shore and is named for its resemblance to a bishop’s mitre (headdress).

Upon leaving Queenstown, you will travel in comfort through rugged mountain terrain past Te Anau, a quiet town on the shores of the largest lake in the South Island. Your glass-roof coach will provide amazing views of the skyline. Your journey continues through the Southern Alps and along the picturesque Eglinton Valley, a place of ancient alpine forest and gushing waterfalls and one of only a few road-accessible glacier valleys in New Zealand.

Take advantage of the photo opportunities on offer along the Milford Road, like the stunning Mirror Lakes, where on a calm day the surrounding mountain ranges are perfectly reflected in the still waters, and Knobs Flat, where glaciers have carved their mark on the terrain. Travel through the Homer Tunnel, a 1.2km passageway drilled into solid rock, then experience The Chasm, a short but impressive walk over footbridges spanning a series of powerful, swirling waterfalls and rapids.

At Milford Sound, board your 2 hour 15 minute Nature Cruise and set off to explore the region that Rudyard Kipling called the Eighth Wonder of the World. Travel the length of the fiord and out to the Tasman Sea, gliding past glacier-scarred rock walls and waterfalls that tumble through valleys and crash into the sea far below. Lush native forest clings to steep cliffs, while seals, penguins and dolphins are regular visitors to the icy waters. At the pinnacle of the sound, Mitre Peak rises dramatically from the depths to a height of 1,692 metres above sea level. Along the way your captain will provide lively and informative commentary.

After your cruise, you will return to Queenstown by coach. Alternatively, book a scenic flight option (optional extra) and wing your way back high over the mountains, lakes and rivers of the South Island.

Buffett Lunch Included.

(Day 5) - Deluxe Coach Tour to Christchurch (via Mt Cook)

Visit Mount Cook National Park and experience the beauty of this Alpine area dominated by Australasia’s highest peak before continuing on to Christchurch.

Your coach tour begins in Queenstown and ends in Christchurch

Depart Queenstown which sits on the shores of beautiful lake Wakatipu.

On your arrival to Mount Cook you’ll have lunch at a village cafe (own arrangements), or explore the walks in and around the village (1 hour approximate).

At Lake Tekapo your have a spectacular sight on clear days of the Southern Alps at the far end of the lake.

Full Day Tour
Fare includes: Selected Hotel/Motel pickups, coach and tax.

Photo Credit: Tourism New Zealand

(Days 5 to 7) - 2 Nights Accommodation in Christchurch

Travel to your accommodation in Christchurch, New Zealand, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 2 nights.

Your 4 Star vacation accommodation in Christchurch, located on New Zealand’s South Island, offers a stylish boutique hotel, just metres from Cathedral Square, major business houses, convention facilities and prime attractions. The city, also known as the “Garden City” offers many opportunities to either rest from your travel or explore the city. Consider traveling to Arthur’s Pass National Park, which has an incredible diversity of flora and landscape. Experience a breathtaking journey aboard the TranzAlpine Train winding its way through New Zealand’s magnificent Waimakariri Gorge.

(Day 6) - Day Tour, Tranz Alpine Train, Arthur's Pass and Return - Full Day

Take the TranzAlpine Train from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass – a mecca for trampers, snow boarders, mountain climbers and nature lovers. Enjoy your day and catch the TranzAlpine on the return to Christchurch.


Arthur’s Pass is known for its immense natural beauty, and rare flora and fauna. The Park provides both a sanctuary for plant and bird life, and a place for both mental and physical recreation.
There are various walks through alpine valleys and basins or along walking tracks ranging from 10 minutes to 4 hours for every level of fitness and all ages.

Operates
Daily
Limited Availablity from May – September

Includes
– Train from Christchurch to Arthurs Pass and Return to Christchurch
– Spectacular views
– Audio commentary available through a mini-jack connector

Need to Know
Pack a small bag with everything you’ll need for the day as large bags/luggage will be checked into luggage carriage. Luggage restrictions apply. Infants are not allocated a seat, so if you wish to bring a car seat, you must book a child seat in advance. Bring headphones for audio commentary.

Upgrades
Scenic Plus – includes exclusive private carriage with an option to dine

Photo Credit: KiwiRail Limited

(Day 7) - Shuttle Transfer, Christchurch Accommodation to Airport

Travel by shuttle from your vacation accommodation in Christchurch, New Zealand, to the Airport.

Please note: For airport transfers – 2 suitcases per person, extra pieces may be charged at $5.00 per piece. Surfboards, Bicycles etc – $5.00 each.

Day 7) - New Zealand Domestic Flight, Christchurch to Rotorua

Travel within New Zealand from Christchurch to Rotorua (North Island).

(Days 7 to 8) - 1 Night Accommodation in Rotorua

Travel to your accommodation in Rotorua, New Zealand, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 1 night.

Located on the shores of Lake Rotorua your accommodation is only a short walk to the city centre, convention centre, cafes and restaurants. Here in the heartland of New Zealand’s Maori culture you’ll experience an enveloping warmth, proud spirit, deep sense of history and a quick humour. Picturesque cobbled and lantern lined streetways and striking Tudor architecture celebrates New Zealand’s significant colonial history. Travel the region by mountain bike or participate in local bush walks.

Upgrade Available (extra cost):
Lake View Room

(Day 7) - Shuttle Transfer, Rotorua Airport to Accommodation

Travel by shuttle from the Airport to your vacation accommodation in Rotorua, New Zealand.

Please note: For airport transfers – 2 suitcases per person, extra pieces may be charged at $5.00 per piece. Surfboards, Bicycles etc – $5.00 each.

(Day 7) - Evening Tour, Tamaki Maori Cultural Experience

Experience an evening of ceremonial ritual, powerful cultural performance, storytelling & hangi feasting.

Share in the Powhiri, our ancient ceremony of welcome before entering our pre-European Maori Village nestled within a native Tawa Forest. The village comes alive with sights, sounds & activity of days gone by including haka, poi, tattooing, weaving, carving and arts of warrior training. You will have the opportunity to participate in these activities. Witness the earth being scraped away from the hangi pit to reveal baskets of food cooked beneath the ground on hot stones. Enter the ancestral meeting house and enjoy a powerful cultural performance before dining the traditional hangi buffet feast!

(Day 8) - Deluxe Coach, Rotorua to Auckland (via Waitomo)

On your vacation, travel by luxury coach from Rotorua to Auckland, New Zealand. Visit the fascinating Waitomo Glowworm Caves along the way.

Leaving the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua in the morning, we travel through lush farmland into the King Country region. Along the way, enjoy your driver guide’s commentary on the area’s history and highlights, and enjoy spectacular sights like Fitzgerald Glade, where the trees arch overhead to form a tunnel of natural greenery.
After arriving in the small town of Waitomo, you’ll be taken on a 45-minute guided tour through the world famous Glowworm Caves, which were discovered in 1887 and are now one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations. Wander through subterranean caverns and learn how the stalagmites, stalactites and other spectacular limestone rock formations were formed over millions of years. To end your tour, travel through the Glowworm Grotto on a magical boat ride, surrounded by the twinkling lights of thousands of glowworms.
After your Glowworm Caves tour you’ll have leisure time at the Waitomo visitor complex. Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch while you take in the stunning views. Make sure to stop by the discovery centre to learn even more about the region. We journey on through the beautiful Waikato region, the dairy farming capital of New Zealand, and northward to Auckland, where your tour concludes on arrival in the afternoon.

(Day 9) - Free Day to Explore Auckland

Visit one of Auckland’s many attractions.

Fly a kite or throw a Frisbee in the beautifully landscaped Auckland Domain, the city’s oldest park. Critique a giant selection of both traditional and contemporary art at Auckland Art Gallery. Take a walking, swim or hike through any of Auckland’s 25 Regional Parks. Have a laugh at The Classic Comedy and Bar in Queen Street, New Zealand’s home of live comedy. Take the bus over to Eden Park, New Zealand’s largest stadium. In the evening you can join the dancing on K’Road and party on till the wee hours at one of the many nightclubs. Or maybe you would rather visit the trendy suburb of Ponsonby and enjoy delicious cuisine, superb lattes or cocktails if more to your taste. And if it is cafes, bars and restaurants you’re after, the Viaduct Harbour has a great selection.

Photo Credit: Tourism New Zealand – Julian Apse

(Days 8 to 10) - 2 Nights Accommodation in Auckland

Travel to your accommodation in Auckland, New Zealand, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 2 nights.

Auckland is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, regularly voted one of the best lifestyle cities in the world– renowned as that ‘City Of Sails.’ Dramatic landscapes and seascapes provide a diverse playground in which a compelling range of attractions are available. Visitors come to enjoy an array of exciting entertainment, leisure, culture and dining possibilities in New Zealand’s largest city.

Optional Day Tour (Not Included) - Auckland City Revealed

Experience the best sights of Auckland City in the morning.



Auckland is set on 52 dormant volcanic cones and between two harbours, the sparkling Waitemata and the brooding Manukau. Known as the City of Sails, it is New Zealand’s largest and busiest city. The morning tour is a journey of discovery designed to explore the history and sights as well as see how Aucklanders live and play.




Travel up Queen Street, through Auckland’s central business district, past the Auckland University and through the inner city park, known as the Domain. Continue on through the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby, with its historic buildings before heading over the Harbour Bridge to Auckland’s North Shore. Stroll on Narrow Neck Beach in historic Devonport. There is time here for a coffee before continuing up to the summit of Mt Victoria with its stunning panoramic views of Auckland City.

Travel back over the Harbour Bridge to Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere. Then visit the Auckland Fish Market, before continuing on to the Viaduct Harbour.

Optional Day Tour (Not Included)- Auckland Harbour Cruise

Visit a true thing of beauty and cruise the sparkling waters of Waitemata Harbour!



Head out on this one and a half hour tour to see the Devonport Naval Base, travel past the township and North Head, then cruise towards the iconic Rangitoto Island as you pass the historic Bean Rock lighthouse. You’ll pass under the Harbour Bridge twice and then off to Westhaven Marina to catch a glance at the viaduct harbour bustling with super yachts!



Daily at 10:45am & 1:45pm. Tours do not operate on Christmas day.

Optional Day Tour (Not Included)- Bay of Islands Tour - Full Day

Marvel at spectacular coastal scenery including the Hole in the Rock, Cathedral Cave and the inner islands while aboard a luxury catamaran. Also see the historic Waitangi Treaty House and a ‘waka’ (Maori war canoe).

Travel north over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and enjoy spectacular rural & coastal scenery enroute to the Bay of Islands via Hibiscus Coast and Whangarei. Bay of Islands is one of the most picturesque and popular vacation sites in New Zealand and was the site of the earliest contact between the indigenous population and European settlers. Take a trip into the past and visit such historical places as the Waitangi Treaty House, see a traditional Maori Meeting House and a huge ‘waka’ (war canoe), Captain Cook Memorial Museum, Flagstaff Hill and the oldest building in the country (Kemp House) along with the oldest Church. In the early afternoon at Cape Brett, board a luxury catamaran for your cruising adventure through game fishing waters as you cruise past the Cape Brett lighthouse to the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’. The excitement grows as you make a passage through the Hole and then continue on to the majestic Grand Cathedral Cave. On your return journey relax and enjoy subtropical paradise views with your favourite drink as you meander through the inner islands back to Cape Brett which are world renowned deep sea fishing grounds where porpoise (dolphins) and schools of fish are frequently seen. With the Bay of Islands’ combination of great fishing, diving, sailing and other water sports with some of New Zealand’s most significant historic sites you will be sure to have fun!

Includes: Pickups from accommodations, admission to Waitangi Treaty House, a Cape Brett cruise and boxed lunch.

Photo Credit: Destination Northland

Optional Day Tour (Not Included) - Waiheke Island Explorer - Half Day

This stunning island just off the Auckland coast boasts 92 square kms of beautiful beaches, vineyards, olive groves, native bush and laid back seaside villages. It’s a great day out from Auckland as well as a superb holiday destination or a weekend getaway.

Be introduced to Waiheke on the Waiheke Explorer Tour, a picturesque 40-minute boat trip followed by a 1.5 hour scenic highlights tour of Waiheke’s stunning locations. Cruise to Waiheke through the glorious Hauraki Gulf and on arrival you’ll be met by an experienced guide who will give you a taste of the views, culture and history that make up the diverse island of Waiheke.

On conclusion of the tour, take advantage of the complimentary All Day Bus Pass allowing you to either return to a destination visited on the tour, or discover the island further on scheduled public bus services.

Photo Credit: Tourism New Zealand

(Day 10) - Shuttle Transfer, Auckland Accommodation to Airport

Travel by shuttle from your vacation accommodation in Auckland, New Zealand, to the Airport.

Please note: For airport transfers – 2 suitcases per person, extra pieces may be charged at $5.00 per piece. Surfboards, Bicycles etc – $5.00 each.

(Day 10) - International Flight, Auckland to Los Angeles (Check quote for inclusion)

Today depart Auckland and fly to the USA. Enjoy an in-flight dinner and movie with arrival in the USA. Note: you will be traveling back across the International Date Line. Gain that day back you lost on the way over, you actually arrive in the USA on the same day you leave Auckland.

Note: Flight may include a stop over in Australia.

  • a) All prices are USD$/person (including all Taxes). Subject to availability. Other Conditions Apply (see Terms and Conditions).
  • b) Land Content Only represents the pricing for the full itinerary as detailed, except the International Flights from the USA (and return) are NOT included.
  • c) An Infant (Lapchild) must be less than 2 years old on the date of departure. Infant must travel with at least one adult. An infant with a seat pays the price of a Child.
  • d) A Child must be aged between 2-11 years on the date of departure. Child must travel with at least one adult.